“A woman may wish to reduce the volume and weight of her breasts because it makes her daily life difficult, prevents her from engaging in sports activities, causes her neck and back pain, or simply because she believes that reducing the size of her breasts would have better aesthetic results,” says the Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ioannis Dalianoudis.
Indications
With breast reduction the breast size can be reduced from any size to the desired size. The indications for breast reduction surgery are as follows:
- Breasts that have remained disproportionately large after pregnancies
- Large breasts disproportionate to the rest of the body that cause aesthetic or orthopedic problems (back, back, shoulder pain)
- Breasts that lead to limitation of a woman to participate in sports and other activities
- Asymmetry of the breasts in order to bring the breasts back to the same size
- Frequent mycosis, intertrigo and submammary due to the size of the breasts
Breast reduction can be performed at any age after adulthood and it has been found that due to a reduction in the mass gland, the chance of breast cancer is correspondingly reduced.
Surgical Intervention
There are a variety of breast reduction techniques that offer good results with low complication rates.
With the patient in an upright position, the mid-chest line, the breast axis and the submammary junction are marked. The new position of the nipple is noted, which should be at a distance of 19-22 cm from the sternal grip.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia with the patient in a semi-sedentary position and with the upper limbs in abduction. Skin is removed with a piece of mass gland from the upper and lateral poles of the breasts. The size and location of the incision depends on the size of the breast, the elasticity of the skin, and the technique of the operation. The incision is made around the nipple area and continues vertically to the submammary fold. After the incisions are made, the nipple is positioned higher on the breast and the breast is reshaped to its original shape.
The wounds are sutured using multiple intradermal sutures, drainage is placed and pressure dressing of the breasts is applied. Also, if necessary, the size of the areola, the dark skin around the nipple, may be reduced. The degree of reduction depends on the body type of each woman.
FAQ
Breast Reduction
Are there any complications from Breast Reduction?
The likelihood of complications is quite low when breast reduction surgery is performed by an experienced plastic surgeon and in cases that complications do occur, they can be easily treated. Some women experience irritation of the skin around the nipple which is treated with topical treatment and antibiotics. Nipple hypersensitivity, if it occurs, lasts for a few days to weeks.
Other rarer complications are hematoma, hypertrophic scars formation, and inflammation treated with shunt insertion and antibiotic treatment.
Can Breast Reduction affect breastfeeding?
During a breast reduction, part of the mass gland is necessarily removed. Thus, breastfeeding may be affected to a very small extent.
Are the results of breast reduction permanent?
The results of breast reduction last for many years and depend on the elasticity of the skin on the breasts, weight fluctuations and possible pregnancies.
Are implants placed during a breast reduction?
In cases of breast size reduction, no implants are placed. In cases where, together with the reduction, the patient also wishes to have a breast lift, then implants are placed.
Breast reduction, when combined with a breast lift, is it performed on the same day?
The combination of breast reduction and breast lift can be performed either on the same day or in different surgeries. Most commonly we prefer these two procedures to be performed one year apart.
If a breast lift is also performed, what is the lifespan of the implants?
The silicone implants used for breast augmentation have a lifespan of more than 10 years. There are implants that have a lifetime guarantee (lifetime warranty) from the manufacturer. However, a woman may choose to change them after a number of years due to age, pregnancy, etc. In most cases, the inserts do not need to be changed.
How much does a breast reduction surgery cost?
The price of breast reduction varies and depends on the technique of the procedure, the particular difficulties it may present, and whether or not implants are used. The final cost is determined after an examination by a qualified plastic surgeon.